Raising device for fitting onto a board for gliding

ABSTRACT

Raising device for fitting onto the upper face of a board for gliding, comprising a platform capable of receiving the elements of a binding, which includes at least one piece forming a slide capable of being secured to the board, and comprising:  
     means allowing sliding of the platform relative to the slide;  
     means allowing securing of the platform relative to the slide;  
     such that the zone of the platform interacting with the slide may be rendered alternately movable or stationary relative to the upper face of the board.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sports involving gliding over snow. More precisely, it relates to a raising device for fitting onto a board such as a downhill ski or the like. By virtue of a unique device, it makes it possible for the board to behave in a number of different ways, by influencing its stiffness.

PRIOR ART

[0002] It is known to equip boards for gliding over snow and, more particularly, downhill skis with raising devices for receiving the binding. More precisely, such devices generally comprise a plate or platform which is mounted on the upper face of the ski. This platform then receives, by screwing, the elements of the binding which are the stop and the heelpiece.

[0003] Various solutions for fitting the platform onto the board for gliding have already been envisaged. Thus, in document FR 2 128 919, it was proposed to equip the upper face of a board for gliding with a slideway. This slideway secured to the upper face of the ski receives, by sliding, the actual platform which is profiled so that its lateral ends interact with the lateral edges of the slideway. In this way, it is possible to interchange various platforms which include binding elements fitted at different distances without having to make supplementary holes in the board. This device has the major drawback of possessing significant stiffness, which is added to that of the ski and thus clamps the latter.

[0004] A variant of this device was described in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,491. The monoski described in that document comprises a slideway integral with the upper face of the ski. This slideway comprises two rails inside which half-platforms supporting the elements of the binding are able to slide. It is thus possible to adjust the longitudinal position of the two elements of the binding, and thus to position the mid-point of the boot in an optimum manner according to the user's wishes. The rigidity of the half-platforms supporting the binding is added to that of the actual board, and thus gives rise to its clamping, the drawbacks of which have been cited.

[0005] In document U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,342, also, a description was given of another type of raising device. This device comprises a platform receiving the binding, which is fitted onto an element made from viscoelastic material interposed between the platform and the upper face of the ski. To allow a relative movement of the platform vis a vis the ski, the anchoring screws of the platform traverse elongate openings which thus allow a displacement of the platform relative to these anchoring points of the board. A slight unclamping of the platform relative to the board is thus observed.

[0006] Other platform variants have been proposed, such as, in particular, those described in document WO 83/03360, in which only one of the ends of the platform is secured to the board, the other end in this case having the ability to slide.

[0007] Thus, some existing platforms are intended for unclamping the binding relative to the ski. Other such platforms, on the other hand, make the board more rigid through the addition of the stiffness of the platform. These various types of platform have mechanical properties which are very different. The means of attachment of these platforms onto the board are also very varied.

[0008] The user, depending therefore on whether he desires a ski which is more or less clamped, nowadays has to choose the appropriate platform and to replace it when he wishes to change his board's behaviour. This possibility is relatively hypothetical, since platforms of different types are rarely secured to the board by identical anchoring means.

[0009] A first problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of being able to change the degree of clamping of the ski using one and the same platform. Moreover, in order to obtain different types of behaviour, equipment manufacturers are forced to offer a wide range, management of which presents certain drawbacks. A second problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of the adaptability of an individual raising platform to various clamping methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention thus relates to a raising device for fitting onto the upper face of a board for gliding, comprising a platform capable of receiving elements of a binding.

[0011] In accordance with the invention, this device is defined in that it includes at least one piece forming a slide capable of being secured to the board, and comprising:

[0012] means allowing sliding of the platform relative to the slide;

[0013] means allowing securing of the platform relative to the slide;

[0014] such that the zone of the platform interacting with the slide may be rendered alternately movable or stationary relative to the upper face of the board.

[0015] In other words, the platform is connected to the upper face of the board by a piece relative to which it is able either to slide or to be firmly held. In this way, this zone of the platform may be either stationary relative to the board or slightly sliding. Thus, when the platform remains sliding relative to the slide, unclamping of the platform relative to the ski is enhanced while still preserving longitudinal guiding of the plate relative to the board. Conversely, when the platform is firmly secured to the slide, an anchoring point of the platform relative to the board is created, which increases the clamping phenomenon.

[0016] Thus, when the user wishes to ski more aggressively, he has the possibility of securing the platform to the corresponding slide in order to increase the stiffness of his ski. Conversely, when the platform is detached from the corresponding slide, a supplementary degree of freedom is imparted to the platform which may then be displaced slightly relative to the upper face of the ski when the board flexes.

[0017] The slides may advantageously be independent pieces attached to the board. They may also be incorporated into the structure of the board during the latter's manufacture.

[0018] The number of characteristic slides may be variable as a function of the desired style of skiing. Thus, the device may include only one slide located in the vicinity of one end of the board. In this case, the platform may be secured definitively to the board at the other end or, alternatively, in its centre.

[0019] In another embodiment, the device may include two slides, each located in the vicinity of the end of the platform. In this case, it is possible to block the displacement of the platform relative to each of these slides, namely either relative to the front slide or relative to the rear slide, or alternatively relative to both slides. This therefore results in three different types of behaviour of the board, each being more specifically appropriate to a particular style of skiing.

[0020] If the device includes a zone of attachment in the upper face of the board, this zone of attachment may be of very different kinds. Thus, it is possible to provide an additional piece capable of being secured to the upper face of the board and onto which the platform is secured.

[0021] According to another solution, the zone of attachment may consist of a protuberance from the platform, capable of being secured to the upper face of the board.

[0022] In another variant, the zone of attachment may come into contact with a boss present on the upper face of the board and forming a thicker area.

[0023] Advantageously, in practice, the device according to the invention may include a spacer element interposed between the upper face of the board and the platform, in order to limit the flexing of the latter. In other words, an element is fitted which fills in part of the volume located between the bottom of the platform and the top of the board, to prevent the platform's being deformed when the board bends.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the slide may include a projecting zone sliding inside a groove of complementary shape provided on the lower face of the platform.

[0025] Of course, the invention also covers the reverse geometry, in which the platform comprises a projecting zone which slides in a complementary groove of the slide.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the projecting zone may be articulated relative to the rest of the slide about a pin perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the platform, so as to facilitate sliding when flexural stress exists.

[0027] In other words, the slide may have the ability to deform, which enables it to accommodate the high levels of deformation of the board, to prevent that part of the slide which slides in the platform becoming wedged and thus generating unexpected clamping.

[0028] Advantageously, in practice, the groove may have at least one zone which is more open, allowing the insertion of the projecting zone of the slide in the groove during fitting of the platform onto the slide. This arrangement thus makes it possible to install the plate easily when the slides are already fitted onto the board.

[0029] In a particular embodiment, the device may include a viscoelastic element interposed between the slide and the platform, so as to provide a degree of comfort and damping of some of the vibrations being transmitted from the board to the platform.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the device may also include stops capable of limiting the sliding of the platform relative to the slide. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the platform is connected to the board by only one slide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] The way in which the invention is embodied and also the advantages arising therefrom will become clearly apparent from the description of the following embodiments, supporting the appended figures, in which:

[0032]FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a device according to the invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 is a sectional view in the plane II-II' of FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 3 is a summarized perspective bottom view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0035]FIG. 4 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0036]FIG. 5 is a summarized perspective top view of the device of FIG. 1, in which all the elements are separate and shown prior to fitting and in a configuration in which the front and rear ends of the platform are able to slide;

[0037]FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5, in which means are provided for securing the front and rear slides relative to the platform;

[0038]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the device according to the invention, at the location of the slide and according to a variant embodiment.

[0039] geometry of platform, but covers numerous other structures.

[0040] According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform (1) comprises a longitudinal groove (25), at least in the zone of interaction with the slide (2, 3). This groove receives the projecting part (14) of the slide (2, 3). The opening (26) of this groove (25) is tightened in order to hold the projecting zone (14) trapped in the groove (25). In this way, any upward movement of the platform (1) is impossible. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the opening (26) of the groove is widened in a zone adjacent that in which the slide (2, 3) is located. The opening (27) of the groove in this zone is slightly greater than the width of the widened zone (16) of the projecting zone (14). Thus, it is in this wider zone (27) of the groove (25) that the slide (2, 3) is inserted then translated into its working zone.

[0041] More precisely, when the slides (2, 3) are fitted onto the board, the platform (1) is positioned on the slides, presenting the widest zone (27) of the groove (25) opposite the slides (2, 3).

[0042] Subsequently, the platform (1) is translated slightly so that the projecting zone (14) of the slides is trapped by the corresponding zone of the groove (25).

[0043] Moreover, the raising device includes, in the centre, two pieces (4, 5) forming a spacer. These pieces (4, 5) are blocks secured to the upper face of the board for gliding by screws (29) for attachment traversing the three holes (28). These blocks (4, 5) are of generally parallelepipedal shape and receive on their upper face the contact of the lower face of the platform (1). As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the platform is secured to these pieces (4, 5) by means of screws (30) for attachment traversing openings (31) provided for this purpose on the platform (1). In this way, the platform (1) is firmly secured to the board for gliding in its centre.

[0044] These spacer elements (4, 5) are interposed between the platform (1) and the upper face of the board for gliding, so as to prevent too high a degree of flexing of the board if the latter is resting only on the two slides (2, 3). It will be appreciated that the blocks (4, 5) may be replaced by a downward projection from the platform, which would come into contact with the upper face of the board. These projections may consist of ribs extending until they make contact with the upper face of the board.

[0045] In another variant which is not illustrated, the blocks (4, 5) may be replaced by a boss present on the upper face of the board, the thickness of which will be such that it comes into contact with the lower face of the platform. Combined solutions which include a thinner boss on the board and a projecting zone under the platform may be envisaged.

[0046] As already stated, the shape of the slide (2, 3) allows the platform (1) to slide longitudinally relative to the slide and thus relative to the board for gliding to which the slide is secured. This sliding movement is particularly advantageous when the platform includes a point which is stationary relative to the board and when the board flexes. In this case, the free end of the platform does not follow the flexing movement of the board but, on the contrary, slides slightly relative to the upper face of the board by virtue of the characteristic slide. This limits the influence of the rigidity of the platform and of the sole of the boot over that of the board alone. Clamping of the board is thus limited.

[0047] When the board flexes and the projecting zone (14) of the slide (2, 3) is displaced in the groove (25), stresses are generated because the platform (1) is slightly inclined relative to the upper face of the board for gliding. In this case, the solution illustrated in FIG. 7 may prove to be advantageous. More precisely, the projecting part (40) of the slide (41) is in this case formed by an independent piece of the block (42). It is mounted with a degree of articulation relative to the latter. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the piece (40) penetrating the groove (25) includes a foot (43) which is embedded in a complementary housing (44) of the block (42). This foot (43) includes a transverse pin (45) perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the platform. This transverse pin (45) may, for example, be positioned laterally relative to the block. The projecting piece (40) thus has the ability to pivot, which enables its upper face to be inclined slightly relative to the rest of the block (41) and thus to remain parallel to the platform (1) when the latter is inclined very slightly relative to the block and thus to the board.

[0048] Advantageously, in practice, the projecting zone (40) may also carry a layer made from viscoelastic material (46), ensuring contact between the slide and the platform. Damping is thus obtained, providing the user with a sensation of comfort.

[0049] According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform (1) may either be allowed to slide relative to the slides (2, 3) or be secured to the latter, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, screws (32, 34) for attachment traverse the platform (1) via the openings (33, 35) and are screwed into housings (18) present in the slide (2, 3). In this way, the ends of the platform (1) are held stationary relative to the slides (2, 3) and thus to the board. In this case, the stiffness of the platform (1) between the slide and the central (4, 5) point of anchoring (1) is combined with that of the board. This provides clamping of the ski, which may be advantageous for increasing the ski's stiffness, particularly in the case of sporting and aggressive skiing styles.

[0050] These screws may be replaced by another means of rapid locking, facilitating the clamping/unclamping operations.

[0051] It should be noted that the change from one configuration, in which the ends of the platform are sliding (FIG. 5), to the configuration in which the ends of the platform are stationary (FIG. 6), is obtained by the simple screwing of the four screws (32, 34) and without any other modification of the raising device. This is thus a particularly simple operation which therefore allows the user to adapt the behaviour of the board to his wishes, and to do so very rapidly. From the manufacturer's standpoint, the design of the raising device makes it possible, with a single device, to provide a clamping or unclamping function.

[0052] Of course, the user may adjust the position and the number of points of attachment as he wishes. Thus, he may either secure the front end or the rear end or, alternatively, both ends, or, alternatively, neither end.

[0053] A particular mode of behaviour corresponds to each one of these possibilities. When the two ends are linked to the board, the latter is highly clamped.

[0054] Conversely, when the two ends are sliding, the board is totally unclamped. When only one of the ends is stationary relative to the board, clamping is partial.

[0055] The invention also covers variants which are not shown, in which one of the ends is fitted so as to be permanently stationary on the board by means of a block similar to the blocks (4, 5) of FIG. 1, or equivalent solutions.

[0056] It emerges from the aforesaid that the raising device according to the invention offers multiple advantages, and, in particular:

[0057] the possibility of adjusting the degree of clamping of a board;

[0058] the ability of a single raising device to adapt to a large number of boards which may or may not require clamping. 

1. A raising device for fitting onto the upper face of a board for gliding, comprising a platform capable of receiving the elements of a binding, which includes at least one piece forming a slide capable of being secured to the board, and comprising: means allowing sliding of the platform relative to the slide; means allowing securing of the platform relative to the slide; such that the zone of the platform interacting with the slide may be rendered alternately movable or stationary relative to the upper face of the board.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, which includes a slide located in the vicinity of one end of the platform.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, which includes two slides, each located in the vicinity of one end of the platform.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, which also includes a zone of attachment onto the upper face of the board.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the zone of attachment consists of an additional piece capable of being secured to the upper face of the board, and on which the platform is secured.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the zone of attachment consists of a protuberance from the platform, capable of being secured to the upper face of the board.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the zone of attachment comes into contact with a boss present on the upper face of the board.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 3, which includes a spacer element interposed between the upper face of the board and the platform, for limiting flexing of the latter.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide includes a projecting zone sliding inside a groove of complementary shape provided on the lower face of the platform.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the projecting zone is articulated relative to the rest of the slide about a pin perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the platform, so as to facilitate sliding during high flexing of the board.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the groove has at least one zone which is more open, allowing the insertion of the projecting zone of the slide in the groove during positioning of the platform on the slide.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, which includes an element made from viscoelastic material interposed between the slide and the platform.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 1, which also includes stops capable of limiting the sliding of the platform relative to the slide. 